Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Saint Joseph, MO (2026)
Saint Joseph, Missouri has a population of about 71,542. The city’s median household income is $55,578 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Saint Joseph. In Missouri, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $156,210 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Saint Joseph
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Saint Joseph city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri Western State University | Saint Joseph, MO | 2.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Highland Community College | Highland, KS | 24.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Park University | Parkville, MO | 40.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kansas City Kansas Community College | Kansas City, KS | 44.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | 50.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Missouri schools on the Missouri criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph is part of the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area (BLS area code 41140). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Missouri statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $124,210 | MO statewide | $143,762 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $156,210 | MO statewide | $180,799 |
| Police Supervisor | $78,320 | St. Joseph, MO-KS | $90,648 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $78,670 | MO statewide | $91,053 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $54,840 | St. Joseph, MO-KS | $63,472 |
| Correctional Officer | $41,310 | St. Joseph, MO-KS | $47,812 |
| Probation Officer | $45,390 | MO statewide | $52,535 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $64,700 | MO statewide | $74,884 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $48,120 | St. Joseph, MO-KS | $55,694 |
| Information Security Analyst | $102,440 | MO statewide | $118,565 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Saint Joseph at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,542 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $55,578 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 86.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Saint Joseph-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Leavenworth, KS – 30.7 mi away (46,445 pop)
- Gladstone, MO – 40.2 mi away (27,114 pop)
- Liberty, MO – 41.9 mi away (30,614 pop)
- Kansas City, KS – 44.2 mi away (151,709 pop)
- Kansas City, MO – 46.2 mi away (1,590,762 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Saint Joseph, MO?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Saint Joseph. The closest is Missouri Western State University in Saint Joseph, MO (2.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City (50.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Saint Joseph?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Saint Joseph are: Judge or Magistrate ($156,210), Attorney ($124,210), Information Security Analyst ($102,440). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Missouri statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Leavenworth instead of Saint Joseph?
Leavenworth, KS is 30.7 miles from Saint Joseph and has its own set of local criminal justice programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Saint Joseph an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Saint Joseph’s median household income of $55,578 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Saint Joseph while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Missouri public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
- Online Criminal Justice Programs in Missouri
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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